Concern surrounds picture book cover

By Eva Moy

In August, President Charles M. Vest made a last-minute decision to stop
distribution of the Technology Community Association's annual Freshman
Picture Book. He felt that its cover drawing of a monkey could be perceived
as racist by African Americans. Publishing the books with new covers
delayed their delivery until Aug. 30, after Residence and Orientation Week
had already begun.

The original cover shows a monkey wearing glasses, dressed in a cap and
a lab coat with a pocket protector, and holding a calculator. The monkey
has one arm raised and is asking a question: "What does Œintuitively
obvious' mean?"

"The concern about the picture is that the symbolism of a monkey type of
creature has traditionally been used negatively in a racist manner in the
United States to depict African Americans," said Susan D. Allen, assistant
dean for residence and campus activities.

The caption added to that perception, Allen said. "There are three
videos produced at MIT that are entitled ŒIntuitively Obvious' done by
Black, Hispanic, and Asian students on what it is like to be a Black,
Hispanic, or an Asian at MIT," Allen said.

The TCA, a student-run and funded nonprofit organization, produces the
picture books. Risa H. Wechsler '96, who helped to design the cover for
TCA, said there was no particular reason why the monkey was chosen.

President Vest said he stopped the distribution of the picture books
with the original cover because the cover "could be misinterpreted as
racially derogatory."

"Experiences on many campuses, including ours, clearly indicate such
events have caused substantial anguish within the student body and
community, despite the fact that no ill will was intended," Vest said.